2022 Cantenac Brown (Margaux)

Cloves, grilled spice, incense, cappuccino, creamy depths to the black cherry and damson spice. The muscularity of the tannins is in full evidence, a great sign of ageing ability, intense and concentrated. Less signature Margaux than some vintages of this estate, but there is beautiful sea spray salinity running through the palate, with red rose petals, crushed and ready to rise out of the glass. Jose Sanfins director, Tristan Le Lous owner, 60% new oak for ageing, harvest September 7 to 27. 95 points

The 2022 Cantenac Brown was a stunner from barrel. Now in bottle, it has a vivacious bouquet highlighting blackberry, wild strawberry and cedar aromas, with hints of violet emerging over time. It shows wonderful delineation and focus. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-boned tannins, fruit that is a little blacker than its peers, gentle grip, nicely judged acidity and a very harmonious, persistent finish. This is a seductive, quite sensual Cantenac Brown worthy of their brand new winery. It’s superb. 95 points

The 2022 Cantenac Brown offers up copious dark fruit, chocolate, licorice, new leather and cloves. A wine of palpable volume and heft, the Cantenac Brown is a very big Margaux endowed with broad shoulders and plenty of volume. The tannins are large-scaled and imposing. I find the 2022 a bit tough in its overall feel, as it was en primeur. It will be interesting to see how it ages. Tasted two times with consistent notes. 92 points